A thick silence hung in the air, a tense standoff punctuated only by the frantic beeping of David's tablet.
"Your king?" Vancouver's brow furrowed in confusion. "Who is your king? And judging by your tone, he won't agree to spare my nation. Why is that?" His gaze, sharp as a blade, pinned Star to the spot.
"My King?" Star's scoff was a sharp, bitter sound. "Take this in: my king is someone Matilda hurt... Sparing your nation is all up to him." Her eyes fell to the ground, a silent admission of her powerlessness.
"You speak with such boldness, are you truly that powerful?" Vancouver's question was laced with a hint of challenge.
Star's laugh was a low, mirthful sound. She met his gaze directly. "If we weren't, would you join us?"
A frown deepened on Vancouver's face. The woman before him was a fortress of unanswered questions, deflecting every inquiry with one of her own.
